Interview with Audrey Eu Look at Macau: no striving, no democracy

The Civic Party Chairman – and for the moment, all pan-democrats – have rejected both the National People’s Congress Standing Committee’s narrow framework for political reform and participation in the second round of talks on the subject. In their view, the NPC decision does not offer a model consistent with democracy as envisaged in the Basic Law, both in intention and wording. Comparing Hong Kong to Macau, the leading senior barrister rests her case on the much stronger fight for democracy here (which clearly has produced a vigorous if obstructive opposition, a more representative legislature, and thorough public political debate). This demonstrates that acquiescence doesn’t always get results.
In an interview with MDT, Audrey Eu also reveals a great disconnect with Beijing that has dogged relationships between the pan-democrats, consistently the most popular party in the legislative council elections, and the central authorities. This dissonance is a substantial challenge that must be addressed if Hong Kong’s government, politicians, students and general public are to reach a mutually acceptable – and critical – accord on the political means to go forward. They must also overcome governmental deadlock, which has already reached alarming levels – partly due to hostility in the legislative council – and which looks set to worsen.

Macau Daily Times – Civic Party’s Ronny Tong faulted the pan-democrats for not accepting “the olive branch” and not meeting Chinese leaders in Shanghai. He said there could have been more room for compromise.  Do you think there could have been more compromise? I am not asking you to criticize your colleagues, I understand you have to (as party chairman) have solidarity.                                                                                                                                     
Audrey Eu (AE) – Oh I am sure, having been a journalist all these years, you know the Communist Party just as much I do.

MDT – I am not sure I do. I don’t speak or read Chinese like you do.                                              
AE – Do you really think that if you just agree to everything they [Chinese Communist Party] say, you will get more?

MDT – No I don’t. It’s the opposite.                                                                                                        
AE – Exactly. So you know. That’s your answer. If you are not asking for democracy, you are not going to get it, and Macau is a good example. You can contrast [the political scene in] Macau with Hong Kong… no matter how much you kowtow, you won’t get more.

MDT – On the other hand, a permanent resident who leaves Hong Kong after three years loses that status. Not in Macau. There was no permanent residency for the British until 1998, almost a year after the handover, unlike Macau  (a result of non-confrontational diplomacy by the Portuguese as opposed to a confrontational approach by the UK). There are some advantages.                                                                                                                     
AE – You’re not talking about democracy there, it’s something different. Your question to me, in relation to Ronny Tong’s question, was about democracy. I really answered with another question which was: ‘Do you think that by not asking for democracy, you are going to get it?’

MDT – A former British diplomat said of the negotiations to the 1997 transfer of sovereignty that while they thoroughly disliked tough stances, Chinese officials respected strength, not weakness. But when dealing with Beijing isn’t there a balance to be made?                              
AE – I don’t think it’s easy to find the balance.

MDT – Obviously, in meetings, one has to show respect on a basic human level, and the Chinese leaders and officials expect a great deal of respect, don’t they?                                                                                                                                       
AE – I think if you listen to what the central authorities always say, people are not on the same level and therefore you don’t negotiate. You don’t make demands as such, and that’s their attitude. You’re never on an equal level.

MDT – Speaking of unequal levels, one senior official in China, commenting on the furore in Hong Kong over mainland tourists’ rude behavior and subsequent reaction in the mainland, said that China was not at the same level of development. China accepts that even as the world’s second superpower, it lags behind the developed world, including Hong Kong, in a number of areas, and states that it has its own path to take. Therefore, Western-style democracy is inappropriate]. Isn’t that a paradox? Isn’t that a contradiction?                                                                                                                                  
AE –  Well they [Chinese officials]can always quote whichever saying they want at an appropriate time or on an appropriate issue. For example, when it comes to democracy, they will always say you are scum and that the British government are stooges. Robert Carroll, Hong Kong Correspondent

In her corner: Audrey Eu

Pan-democrat Chairman, Civic Party, former popularly elected legislator , practicing senior barrister-turned-politician. Audrey Eu has been touted as potential Chief Executive candidate. Champions pro-democracy movement. Highly pessimistic about the possibility of real negotiations with Chinese officials.